Meta-fiction

Meta-fiction is a literary technique that self-consciously reflects on its own status as a work of fiction. It often breaks the "fourth wall" by acknowledging its fictional nature, allowing characters to recognize they are in a story or addressing the reader directly. This approach can challenge traditional narrative forms, encouraging readers to think about the nature of storytelling, authorship, and reality versus fiction. Examples include novels where characters discuss their narratives or works that incorporate the author’s commentary, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.